Chichester safety rules top the Bill's for a great night out

Now it's your temperature.

You stand by the entrance wall and the thermometer gun is pointed at you before you can pass further through the portal.

The irony of our times is that what once would have seemed highly intrusive is now utterly reassuring.

It's the first signal of just how seriously they are taking the health and welfare of you, of the other customers and their staff.

This message is reinforced by the face masks all the staff wear and the large bottle of hand sanitizer on each table. The high ceilings and airy ambiance all add to that sense of welfare.

There is a full menu but we were invited as Bill's guests to review and we chose from the special set menu which continues the theme of the Chancellor's Eat Out to Help Out August campaign.

We may now be in September, but you can still save up to £10 - depending on what dishes you choose - from the standard price on a Monday to Wednesday.

So one course is £10, two are £14.50 and three £18.95. It's exceptional value when you consider the chargrilled 8oz sirloin steak with rosemary salted fries, garlic butter and mixed seed salad comes in at just a tenner rather than £20.

The quality is superb.

Bill's has always avoided unnecessary pretension. That owes much to its history. It began life as a greengrocer's shop in Lewes in East Sussex. After a much documented flood in the town it added a cafe. From there it grew like Topsy.

But the emphasis has always been on wholesome food traditionally sourced.

It was good to see good vegan and vegetarian choices on the set menu - not everyone wants the steak. The vegan truffled buffalo wings with vegan cheese dip and celery were an amazing starter.

Beetroot Wellington with long stem broccoli and black truffle and mixed mushroom risotto were also to be found on the mains.

The pan seared fillets of sea bass was my partner's choice - followed by the warm gooseberry, apple and elderflower crumble with custard and vanilla ice cream.

It was good to be back at Bill's - our first visit since lockdown. Whether it is here or any of our city centre restaurants it is more important than ever to show our support. They are doing their bit to keep us safe, we must help to protect them too.

We were invited as guests of Bill's but our review is independent and not linked to any advertisement spend. You should prebook to dine. #supportlocal